The judge did, placing the Air Force veteran in prison for 14 months to five years for shoplifting.

Counts, 28, was one of four people from out of town caught stealing from the Coldwater Walmart on Jan. 21. He had filled a basket with a Playstation, snowboard, TV, and other items totaling over $800. He walked out of the store, but fled when confronted by security — only to be arrested a short distance away.

Counts was on probation in Calhoun and Jackson counties at the time.

"I know what I did was wrong. I’ve gotten away from the integrity I learned in the Air Force. Prison won’t help me, putting me around life-long criminals," Counts argued.

Defense attorney Bill Renner argued a year in jail with probation to hold prison over Counts' head might be a better sentence.

"He’s not a very good criminal — always getting caught," Renner said.

O’Grady suggested Counts might be a candidate for boot camp after he is processed by corrections.

Counts will be returned to the other counties for probation violation sentencings.